Ward 1

Ward 1 News: Montgomery TCH Beautification

Share

Yes

Article Date:
8/16/2017

Page Content

In the spring of 2015, the Montgomery Community Association Board voiced concerns about the appearance of the 16th Avenue corridor (TransCanada Highway) and how it portrayed Montgomery to anyone entering the City from the West. There were concerns about unsafe sidewalks and crosswalks for pedestrians, and vehicles making illegal or unsafe left turns into parking lots along 16 Avenue. To address these concerns, The City and the Board prepared a preliminary design that was shared with the community for feedback. It proposed upgrades in the study area that would improve safety and connectivity for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists, while also enhancing the look of the streetscape. The planned improvements were also meant to improve traffic operations by directing vehicles to follow designated traffic lanes, increase the safety of pedestrians trying to cross 16 Avenue N.W. at Home Road, and prevent motor vehicle and pedestrian accidents from occurring.

The following improvements are currently underway: • Upgraded traffic signal structures at the intersection of 16 Avenue and Home Road, including signal functionality which provides additional ‘green light time’ when there are spikes in traffic • Installation of a median along 16 Avenue N.W. • New and upgraded sidewalks in select locations • Installation of larger pedestrian islands and improved wheelchair ramps • Re-grading of the area in front of Safeway to decrease water pooling • Adjustment of business entrances that are close to intersections for safer access • Installation of curb extensions on Home Road to accommodate bike lanes and improve the visibility and safety of people who walk and cycle at intersection crossings • Installation of a new pedestrian crossing and geometric improvements at the 49 Street and Home Road intersection in response to safety concerns heard at past engagement events (see page 2 ) • Installation of a new bike connection at 52 Street to improve the safety of people who cycle and want to connect to the cycle track (see pages 3 & 4) • Improvement of the existing bike route (shared lanes) on Home Road into painted bike lanes to promote safe accessibility and connectivity to the Bow River Pathway System • Beautification of the area (new trees, new rock features and grass plantings in the median along 16th Avenue N.W., new light standard with banner in the median along 16th Avenue N.W.)• The comments received at engagement events came in as a 50/50 split for and against an advanced left-turn arrow to help motorists turn north onto Home Road from eastbound 16 Avenue N.W. Based on these comments and a review conducted by The City, an advanced left-turn signal is not being installed as part of this project. The city will continue monitoring safety at this intersection and further study will take place once the 16 Avenue N.W. and Bowfort Road interchange is completed and open to traffic. A decision regarding the installation of an advanced left-turn arrow may be made at a later date.

Summer/fall 2017 construction is being staged as follows:• new traffic signal structures will be installed at 16 Avenue N.W. and Home Road; • on 16 Avenue N.W. curbs, pedestrian refuges, sidewalks, and medians will be constructed and crosswalk lines will be painted; • curb extensions will be constructed on Home Road; • the pavement overlay will be done on Home Road; and • pavement markings (including bike lanes) will be painted on Home Road.

This content represents the personal views and opinions of the Councillor and should not be taken as a statement of policy of The City of Calgary. The inclusion of any external content does not imply endorsement by The City of Calgary.